SPRINGFIELD – Drivers running on electric empty may now stop at Springfield Ford Lincoln for a charge.
The dealership, located at 50 Baltimore Pike, recently installed a Level II electric vehicle (EV) charger accessible 24 hours a day. The unit, with a universal nozzle, is available on a complimentary basis to owners of any make or model.
“This is an important step to help save gas and reduce greenhouse gases,” Springfield Ford Lincoln President Jim Thomas said. “It is a way we can serve the community and meet like-minded people who are trying to reduce energy.”
Those interested in preserving the environment as they travel are the drivers Springfield Ford Lincoln President Jim Thomas is hoping to greet at the charging station.
The charger, the first one installed in the state at a Ford dealership, is similar to those near the Media Fire Department, the King of Prussia Mall and one on King of Prussia Road in Radnor. Use of the units at Springfield Ford Lincoln and the mall are free; owners can charge at the other stations for an hourly fee.
“There is no charge,” said General Sales Manager Steve Amabile. “We have great coffee and WiFi or they can plan to come at lunchtime and take advantage of our local shuttle.”
Unlike traditional internal combustion engines (ICEs), EVs are propelled by an electric motor powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The motors convert 75 percent of the chemical energy from the batteries to power the wheels, compared to the 20 percent of the energy stored in the gasoline converted by ICEs. The vehicles are environmentally friendly, require less maintenance and help reduce energy dependence, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Gas-free vehicles, such as the Ford Focus Electric and Nissan Leaf, and plug-in hybrids like the Chevrolet Volt, were initially available in a limited number of states, including California, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and the Washington DC area, but will be displayed in local showrooms later this year.
EV purchases may be eligible for a federal income tax credit up to $7,500 based on the capacity of the battery.
The compact cars, which typically get 100 miles to the charge, can be fully re-charged in approximately 3.5 hours.
Rather than merely plug into their 120-volt home outlet, owners often opt for a 240-volt charging station, a $2,500 purchase that may also qualify for tax credits.
The charging stations have only become operational within the last few months, but their popularity should increase as automakers introduce new EVs and plug-in hybrids. Production has begun on the Ford C-Max Energi, which will combine an eight-gallon gas tank with a battery. Drivers will be able to travel in all-electric mode for local trips, then use gasoline as the primary source of energy until the vehicle can be re-charged.
“As charging stations become more accessible, the cars will appeal to a greater number of people,” said John O’Dell, green car advisor and a senior editor at edmunds.com . “We are seeing them in parking garages, apartment complexes, malls and movie theaters, making the vehicles much more attractive to the public.”